Exclusive interview with Jessica Russell

Whats the concept behind Wisegils, and how did the project come about?

Wisegirls surfaced with producer Jack Sojka (a producer on title). He had the script and eventually it was developed by many producers in our camp to make it happen with the intent to hit the big screen. Jack obtained the script and the process began. The cast originally involved different actresses. The first actress was Mira Sorvino who loved the script. David Anspaugh came aboard, Mariah was a new idea. She was then circulating in Hollywood to star in Glitter. She read the script and we were lucky. The rest of the cast just fell into place. By that time we already had a comittment for a theatrical release in the States. With this to look forward to it began positive.

You have a great cast in the movie. Mira is a Oscar winning actress, Melora who is very talented and Mariah who finally got really nice reviews for this character. How was it to work with such talented people?

For me it was amazing. I love Mira. She is so talented and great to watch. All the girls are so different in real life, all backgrounds, personalities. Mira loves what she does, acting seems to come easy to her and she has a great part. In real life she is quiet and more reserved until she is familiar with her enviroment. Melora is quiet and shy in appearance and has a bubbly personality which shines through and Mariah of course is outgoing. Mariah worked hard and by the time Wisegirls was filmed it was during her film time with Glitter. She put 101% in every way for the behalf of the movie. I think the story of the movie is so different, we all wanted it to look serious yet the idea of what the film is is so exciting because of "Mafia" the girls had fun.

Mariah Carey got bad critics for "Glitter". With Wise Girls she showed she has a great talent for acting. What do you think we can expect from her future projects?

It amazes me that most people never had the chance to see Glitter and people have such negative views about the film or should we say Mariah's acting ability. If they saw the movie it was a feel good movie. It was cute and Mariah was good. Unfortunately we dealt with Mariah's health scare and the movie fell into "Hollywood Politics" which I believe created problems for the success. We all then felt the problems of Sept 11th throughout the world. To make things just as unfortunate, in America Mariah's album for Glitter was released on Sept. 11th. Our whole country was in front of the television set for days. who is going to think of running to the record store. Anyways I would say only a tiny number of industry individuals and critics have seen Wisegirls. I say 98% of the reviews were very positive and the excitement for us producers was at our Sundance Festival in Utah. We were asked to show the movie for a special premeir screening. We were all there - the girls, David Anspaugh and Johnny Jenson the Director of Photography, some stars, a few of us producers and many Hollywood bigwigs. The most amazing feeling was when our movie at the end received a standing ovation which we understand is not common and very special for the festival. More amazing and very important was the love and respect they gave Mariah for her performance. She was given a separate standing ovation when she was announced. She must have felt so good. Could you imagine how it would feel to have everyone make jokes and criticise your abilities when you know most people never saw your performance to make this judgement valid? I was so happy I was there to see the people offer her this praise, and it was the rave of Hollywood and beyond. Did you know Glitter did exceptionally well in the United States? Mariah is so talented. When people see her in Wisegirls they will enjoy herperformance. They will eat their old words of criticism. I was fortunately involved in her next movie Sweet Science. She is not making the movie anymore due to changes in production plans however, when she decides to film another movie it will be with the endless choices offered to her, including from the famous and prominant. She deserves it. She has talent.

Do you see her growing and improving as an actress?

Definetely. I feel many singers have some experience as many are involved in music video-drama's. Mariah is a hands on person and she gets this. She has range. I think Wisegirls once viewed by he public will be a blockbuster due to the fact people are waiting for Mariah. With the duo Mira and Melora exceptional talents they will enjoy the movie. It is a good movie and watching the girls is like watching friends in real life. Even when all the mafia men involved in the story it is if you are part of real life not watching a movie. You have to have talent to achieve this. We will see more of Mariah.

What was the best thing on working with Mariah?

She has heart. She is a kind and smart girl. She listened and learned. There was no negative or diva attitude. She has a good team behind her. She was there to make a movie and boy did she help make one. I am excited for the movie.

Did anything funny happen on the set during the footages?

So much goes on a daily basis. Nothing dramatic or extended interest for tabloids. Thats why people made stuff up. They always do. If there was any real drama it was among the producers.

What the public can expect from this movie?

They will love it and want to see it again. We say it is not a chick flick. It is a cross between a Sex in the City and a Goodfellas. It is a movie people won't feel bad about spending there money to see. It is a drama comedy, there is heart, humor, and gore and lots of mafia talk and action. I think the meat grinder scene will be one to remember...

Wise Girls got really nice reviews from important critics. Why do you think the movie was such a success amongst them?

People were hard on Mariah for Glitter. Inside Hollywood the people may be the first to criticise yet they are also the first to be proved wrong and I think the curiousity was so strong. They know how the business are and how people outside of Hollywood can easily believe off of gossip. I think people wanted to see Mariah prevail. Mira is loved for her talent. Melora is known as a real dramatic talented actress. David Anspaugh was reserfacing as a successful director and John Meadows? We have alot of talent throught this film. It has also been a Hollywood secret. Even today many critics or promoters don't have film clips for publicity. We made sure there were no tapes circulating to people other than the necessary individuals.

Many thanks to Ashes from RPN.